Briefkaart aan Anna Dorothea Dirks before 1915

This is a briefkaart, or postcard, sent by the artist Wally Moes in 1915, likely made from a pre-printed cardstock. The design elements were put in place using industrial printing methods, a process that allowed for mass communication and the circulation of images. But look at what Moes herself added: a handwritten message in looping cursive. There’s something intimate about this gesture, a clear assertion of individuality. The postal stamp, too, is significant. It indicates a moment in time, a specific location, and the mechanics of distribution. Consider that Moes had to purchase the card, write the message, buy and affix the stamp, and physically deliver the card to the postal system. There’s labor involved, both physical and emotional. It's a reminder that even in our digital age, the simplest forms of communication are embedded in complex systems of exchange. These systems involve not only economics, but also human connection.